Matthew Perry Death Investigation: 5 Defendants Charged, 2 Doctors Arrested, California 2024
Two doctors and three others have been charged in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry, who suffered a fatal ketamine overdose in October 2023.
LOS ANGELES, California – A licensed physician and an alleged San Fernando Valley drug dealer were arrested today in connection with the death of actor Matthew Perry, who suffered a fatal ketamine overdose in October 2023.
Jasveen Sangha, 41, a.k.a. “The Ketamine Queen,” of North Hollywood, and Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 42, a.k.a. “Dr. P,” of Santa Monica, are charged in an 18-count superseding indictment returned on Wednesday with distributing ketamine to Perry during the final weeks of the actor’s life.
Sangha and Plasencia are charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine. Sangha also is charged with one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine, and five counts of distribution of ketamine.
The superseding indictment alleges that Sangha’s distribution of ketamine on October 24, 2023, caused Perry’s death. Plasencia is charged with seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation.
Erik Fleming, 54, of Hawthorne, who pleaded guilty on August 8 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death. Fleming admitted in court documents that he distributed the ketamine that killed Perry. He further admitted to obtaining the ketamine from his source, Sangha, and to distributing 50 vials of ketamine to Perry’s live-in personal assistant, Kenneth Iwamasa – half of them four days before Perry’s death.
Kenneth Iwamasa, 59, of Toluca Lake, who conspired with Sangha, Fleming, and Plasencia to illegally obtain ketamine and distribute it to Perry. Iwamasa, who pleaded guilty on August 7 to one count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, is currently a fugitive.
Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 42, a.k.a. “Dr. P,” of Santa Monica, is expected to be arraigned later today at United States District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
“These defendants cared more about profiting off of Mr. Perry than caring for his well-being,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “Drug dealers selling dangerous substances are gambling with other people’s lives over greed. This case, along with our many other prosecutions of drug-dealers who cause death, send a clear message that we will hold drug-dealers accountable for the deaths they cause.”
Defendant 1: Jasveen Sangha, 41, a.k.a. “The Ketamine Queen,” of North Hollywood, California
Criminal Charges: One count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine, one count of maintaining a drug-involved premises, one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of possession with intent to distribute ketamine, and five counts of distribution of ketamine.
City and State: North Hollywood, California
Exact Date: October 24, 2023
Sentence or Outcome: Currently being held without bail pending arraignment.
Defendant 2: Dr. Salvador Plasencia, 42, a.k.a. “Dr. P,” of Santa Monica, California
Criminal Charges: Seven counts of distribution of ketamine and two counts of altering and falsifying documents or records related to the federal investigation.
City and State: Santa Monica, California
Exact Date: October 24, 2023
Sentence or Outcome: Currently being held without bail pending arraignment.
Defendant 3: Erik Fleming, 54, of Hawthorne, California
Criminal Charges: One count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine and one count of distribution of ketamine resulting in death.
City and State: Hawthorne, California
Exact Date: August 8, 2023
Sentence or Outcome: Pleaded guilty.
Defendant 4: Kenneth Iwamasa, 59, of Toluca Lake, California
Criminal Charges: One count of conspiracy to distribute ketamine.
City and State: Toluca Lake, California
Exact Date: August 7, 2023
Sentence or Outcome: Currently a fugitive.
Key Facts
- State: California
- Category: Drug Trafficking
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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